Tarot Original 1909 - 78 Cards - the reference deck for over a century
Nearly every modern tarot deck refers back to this one. The Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, first published in 1909, forms the foundation for tarot symbolism as it is taught worldwide today. This reissue by Lo Scarabeo stays true to the original imagery, with clear colours and sharp lines.
The deck was designed by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite. Smith drew all 78 cards with detailed scenes, including the Minor Arcana. That was new. Older decks usually showed only the number of wands, swords, pentacles or cups.
What you see on the cards
The images are clear and narrative. Each card shows a situation you can recognise yourself in. The Major Arcana runs from The Fool to The World and traces a journey through life stages and inner transformation. The Minor Arcana consists of four suits that illuminate everyday situations, relationships, ambitions and material concerns.
The colours are bright without being intrusive. Yellow, blue and red dominate, with plenty of white for clarity. The drawing style is simple and symbolic, not realistic. This makes the cards suitable for intuitive readings.
All titles are printed in English on the cards themselves. The symbols are universal enough to understand even without language. The accompanying guidebook is multilingual and contains basic meanings and a few spreads.
Why this deck still works
Most tarot books refer to Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism. If you open a book explaining The Magician, the author usually describes what you see on these cards. That makes this deck useful for beginners who want to learn, but also for experienced readers looking for a reliable reference deck.
The size is standard: 70 x 120 mm. The cards shuffle comfortably and the cardstock feels sturdy. Lo Scarabeo has improved the printing compared to older reissues, making details sharper and colours brighter.
Draw one card each morning and place it in front of you. Look at the image for a minute before you look up the meaning. What do you notice first?
About Pamela Colman Smith and Arthur Edward Waite
Arthur Edward Waite was a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, an esoteric order concerned with symbolism, mysticism and magic. He wanted a tarot deck that made the occult meanings of the cards clearer than the decks available at the time.
Pamela Colman Smith, also known as Pixie, was an artist and theatre-maker. Her style was influenced by the Art Nouveau movement and Japanese prints. She worked quickly and intuitively, completing all 78 cards in a few months. Her work received little recognition at the time, but without her drawings this deck would not exist.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
- Card size: 70 x 120 mm
- Cardstock quality: Sturdy, high-quality cardstock
- Card language: English titles
- Guidebook: Multilingual, including English
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Artist: Pamela Colman Smith
- Designer: Arthur Edward Waite
- Year of original publication: 1909
Questions we often get
How does this edition differ from other Rider-Waite decks?
This Lo Scarabeo edition focuses on restoring the original colours and lines from 1909, with sharper printing than many older reissues. The cardstock is sturdier and the colours are brighter without losing the original atmosphere.
Is this deck suitable if you have never worked with tarot before?
Yes. The images are clear enough to work with intuitively, and because nearly all tarot books refer to this deck, you can immediately find any explanation on the cards. That makes learning much easier.
